SAN ANTONIO — Dear Pat: We happened upon a charming little eatery in the Monte Vista area called Beat Street Bistro. We enjoyed all our food, from the burger to the mussels, the scallops and the duck breast, but the dish I would love to reproduce at home was its fabulous fingerling potato dish. Any chance the chef would part with that recipe? We'll be back soon to try more of the food. This is a great addition to the neighborhood!

Dear Frank: Whether it's an eye-opening coffee to start your day off right, or a unique lunch or dinner, Beat Street Bistro can make it happen. Owner Henry Leman started with a coffee truck, Beat Street Coffee Co., but recently expanded his concept to this brick-and-mortar location on North Main Avenue. Chef John Carpenter heads up the kitchen, and his elevated, yet approachable menu is inventive and well executed. Those luscious fingerling potatoes are seared in duck fat (the very best way to cook potatoes), and paired with meltingly soft garlic confit, lusty Manchego cheese, crème fraîche and chives — ample evidence of Carpenter's sure hand and sophisticated palate.

Morning coffee is accompanied by fresh muffins and fast breads, while lunch features the soup and sandwich of the day, salad and an appealing array of sandwiches, including a hot ham and cheese, an intriguing pork and lamb Merguez sloppy Joe, a veggie wrap and chicken salad. Dinner includes both small plates and large. Small plates range from these peerless potatoes to pan-roasted Brussels sprouts, mussels and pork belly, while the larger offerings boast their house-ground burger, scallops, hanger steak, braised short ribs and seared duck breast. Plenty of choices, all served in casual, contemporary digs. Just the sort of place we all wish we had in our neighborhood.

Beat Street Bistro is at 2512 N. Main Ave. between Mistletoe and East Woodlawn avenues.

Pat Mozersky is a freelance writer for the Express-News. You can contact her at chefssecrets.pm@ gmail.com.